For the purpose of this migration guide we are going to focus on importing Eagle PCB Designs, if you require other files migrated, please refer to their specific guide.
Never forget that migration of data follows the “garbage in…. more garbage out” principle. So, we need to consider four distinct phases of the process, this is best shown in the flow diagram below:
The following table details the versions of all Eagle design formats that can be migrated into Altium Designer. Note that this list is updated all of the time, so please check with us for specific systems and versions before undertaking migration.
Type
System
Version
Format
PCB
Eagle
6.4.0
(*.BRD)
SCH
Eagle
6.4.0
(*.SCH)
LIB
Eagle
6.4.0
(.*LBR)
Altium Designer's EAGLE Importer is able to import EAGLE design files saved with EAGLE version 6.4.0 (or later). These are XML-format in nature – EAGLE binary-format design files cannot be imported directly using the EAGLE Importer. For these older, binary version design files, it is advised to save them in this later (XML) format, through your EAGLE software, before attempting to import them into Altium Designer.
The Import Wizard can be launched from the Altium Designer File menu. Choose the EAGLE Projects and Designs from the list of file types as shown in the screenshot below. On the “Importing Eagle Design Files” screen, click the Add button to choose the Eagle design files. Multiple files can be translated at the same time. Step-by-step instructions on how to use the Import Wizard are to follow.
Starting the Import Wizard for Eagle Design files
You can also drag your Eagle Design Files into Altium Designers Projects Panel, this will automatically launch the wizard in Eagle Import mode.
Step-by-Step Import Instructions on Importing Eagle Design files.
Start the Import Wizard with File » Import Wizard
Select Type of Files to Import » Eagle Projects and Design
Add the file(s) to be translated. In this case, ‘MKR1000.brd’ and ‘MKR1000.sch’ have been used.
You can add as many .brd and .sch files at this point, however, if you add files of a different file name, separate projects will be created. Once you have chosen your design files, the next screen will allow you to import any library files you have.
Using the ‘Reporting Options’ page map the layers for the PCB by assigning a suitable layer type and layer name to be Signal/Solder/Paste/Silkscreen/Mechanical
Use the 'Output Project Structure' page to enable or disable the settings for logging all errors, all warnings, and events respectively. You can also set up Schematic Settings here.
A preview of the files being translated and their output directories are then shown. You can change the main output directory at this point if desired.
Click the final Next button and the Import Wizard will take care of the rest.
Congratulations, your design has now been imported into Altium Designer! Follow the Post Import Tidy Up checks to ensure the design has been fully checked and verified.
In case the imported text on schematics is inverted after design import, simply click on the gear button at the top right corner and Preferences>Schematic>Graphical Editing disable the option ‘Display Strings as Rotated’. An example is shown above
Below are references to other articles and tutorials in the Altium Designer Documentation Library that talk more about the conceptual information as well as walk you through specific tasks. Remember, you can also browse through the Help contents, and use F1 and What’s This at any time in a dialog for more details.
For a tutorial that steps you through all the basics of editing multiple objects, read Editing Multiple Objects.
A great place to start your journey through all the new possibilities with your Altium Designer installation. On the top left of Altium Designer you can find the Help » Exploring Altium Designer link
From here, you can easily access the Documentation where the “Getting Familiar with the Altium Design Environment” category will ease your beginning into using Altium.
Vincent Mazur, BSEE, is a Field Applications Engineer at Altium. Prior to rejoining Altium, he co-founded a scientific electronic instrument business where he architected and designed handheld, battery-operated products using Altium Designer. Vincent has over 25 years of combined experience in the electronics industry designing hardware and software for embedded systems and in the EDA industry assisting companies in optimising their electronic product development processes.